Fascia

When normal connective tissues of the body are arranged in the form of enveloping sheaths they are known as fascias. Fascias run in opposite directions to muscle fiber. This allows for better pumping of fluids. Fascias are the bodies only continuum. Superficial fascia is adhered to the dermis and can be tested for mobility, extensibility and end feel, or elastic recoil. There are probably miles of tissues contained in these fascias. They are continuous from head to toe. To give an example of the interconnections and interrelationships they create I will describe one length of this continuum. The following five paragraphs are a summary from Dr. Upledger’s

second book, Beyond the Dura. Sibson’s fascia arches over the cupula of each lung and is continuous with the fascia of the scalenes and the carotid sheath. The carotid sheath contains the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve. Medially it is continuous with the visceral fascia which invests the esophagus and trachea. Laterally it is continuous with the sternocleidomastoid. It attaches to the skull at the carotid foramen and to the base of the neck at the sternum and the first rib. Sibson’s fascia also continues with deep cervical fascia to the outer surface of the sphenoid, occiput and temporal bones through the base of the skull to join the dura.

The cervical sympathetic neural tissue is in the posterior wall of the carotid sheath. Tension on it affects autonomic function. Fibrous tissue from the pericardium is continuous with the carotid sheath. It’s fibers penetrate the diaphragm and attach to the fascia of the iliopsoas.

Now let’s look at what may be affected by a distortion pattern in this portion of the fascia! Since these fibers attach to the temporal bone, dysfunction of this bone will lead to increase pressure on the jugular foramen. This will interrupt cranial nerves 9, 10, and 11. Venous outflow will be impaired. Nerves passing through the temporal bone include facial, acoustic, sympathetic plexus of the internal carotid, auricular branch of the vagus, and others. Blood vessels through the temporals include the stylomastoid artery, internal carotid artery, occipital artery, internal auditory branch of the basilar artery and more. The temporal fossa has grooves for the middle meningeal arteries and veins. If there is an imbalance of the temporal bone it can cause nausea, vomiting, vertigo or even seizure activity.

The vagus nerve passes through the jugular foramen which can be affected by tension on the occiput. Symptoms of vagus nerve irritation include dysphagia, esophageal spasms, cardiospasms, paralysis of the soft palate, respiratory disorders, gastric dysfunction among other. The respiratory diaphragm has the esophagus, aorta, vena cava, hemiazygos veins, thoracic duct, esophageal blood vessels, vagus nerve, and more. It is innervated by T9-12 and by the phrenic nerve (C 3-5). Any disruption of the diaphragm will affect these structures or visa versa.

Sphenobasilar lesions can lead to HA’s endocrine disorders, visual problems, sinusitis and more. All the above mentioned structures will have the fascial link to the Sibson’s fascia in one way or another.

Releasing tight fascias will have an indirect affect on the health of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is one of three circulatory systems. It carries excess water, bacteria, viruses, inorganic materials, dust, dyes, large fat molecules, waste metabolites, lymphocytes not transported by the venous system. It is the medium for passage between cells and bland blood capillaries. It distributes all nourishment : mineral salts, vitamins, and oxygen from blood to cells. Lymphocytes provide the second line of defense against bacterial infection. (first line at site of injury by leukocytes.)

Lymph vessels have valves and pump in one direction. They have tiny muscles that respond to stretch like a muscle spindle. There are approximately 600 lymph nodes. Fluid flows from the legs to the abdomen to the cistern chyle to the thoracic duct. From the right arm and right head it flows to the right terminus near the right medial clavicle, From the left arm and chest and left head and the thoracic duct it goes to the left terminus and then to the heart. Tightness along the fascias in these areas will decrease the efficiency of the lymphatic system.

William Sutherland in his article “The Cranial Bowl “ describes the movements that occur in the body with inhalation and exhalation. In inhalation the hemispheres of the brain swing upwards, the pituitary is lifted, the third ventricle drains, The sphenoid nose dives. The temporals move into ER. The spinal cord is drawn upward as is the sacrum. During exhalation the cerebral hemispheres move down, the pituitary drops,, the temporals IR. The spinal cord moves downward and the sacrum moves anteriorly. Can you see how tight fascial tissues can also effect inhalation and exhalation and again affect fluid flow?

The founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Still, said “The fascia gives one of, if not the greatest problems to solve as to the part it takes in life and death. It belts each muscle, vein, nerve, and all organs of the body. It is almost a network of nerves, cells and tubes, running to it and from it: it is crossed and filled with, no doubt, millions of nerve centers and fibers to carry on the work of secreting and excreting fluid vital and destructive. By its action we live, and by its failure we shrink, or swell, and die. Each muscle plays its part in active life. Each fiber of all muscles owes its pliability to that yielding septum -washer, that gives all muscles help to glide over and around all adjacent muscles and ligaments, without friction or jar. It lubricates the fibers but gives nourishment to all parts of the body. Its nerves are so abundant that no atom of flesh fails to get nerve and fluid supply therefrom.”